Lot 10
  • 10

Mahmoud Said

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description

  • Mahmoud Said
  • Marsa Matrouh
  • oil on canvas laid down on board
  • Executed circa 1950.

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist by the previous owner
Thence by descent

Condition

Condition: This work is in very good condition. There is a very minor spot of varnish on lower right corner, inherent of the artist's working process, as can be seen from the catalogue illustration. Colour: The catalogue illustration is very accurate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A timeless image, Marsa Matrouh is an exceptional representation of the untouched Mediterranean coast of the 1950s, immortalised in the black and white films of the era, here brought to life in exquisite colour by Mahmoud Said.

Mahmoud Said's glorious painting of Marsa Matrouh is yet another celebration of his native Egypt. His love for the Egyptian people is evident throughout his oeuvre, from the manner with which he paints scenes of local life and colour, the whirling dervishes, the Nile's people at work along her banks and the portraits he painted of his family and servants. But it is particularly apparent in his paintings of Alexandria, these more so than any other are infused with a remarkable affection. The peasant riding on a donkey, Said's ubiquitous Alexandrian women, their heads held high, their skin gleaming in the sunlight, the skyline of Alexandria more often than not framed in the background. All of these are a homage to his home-town, his people and his country.

Marsa Matrouh is a rare depiction of another inspirational place for Said. Matrouh is a place of natural beauty that stirred his artist's soul, regarded as a haven for the romantics, with its white sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and lush palm trees, the sight dates back to the time of the Pharaohs and Alexander the Great. It is rich in history with an enchanting air romanticized in the glamorous black and white Egyptian films of the forties and fifties.

Marsa Matrouh, a popular destination for Cairenes and Alexandrians during the summer months, is captured here by Said's vivid palette and luminous canvas. The painting evokes not just the reality of the place, but also the artist's impression of the play of light on water, the quality of the air and the shimmering sand. It is an excellent example of Said's distinctive grasp of light and colour, and is a jewel of a work.

This painting is important not just for its singular representation of Said's grasp of light and his palette, but also as a glimpse into the artist's own personal haven and for its documentary nature, presenting historical and pictorial evidence of the sea-side city before the development of the Egyptian coastline.